Moua United International Council, Inc.

    II.            Co-Chairman Zong Chou Vang, opens the meeting with warm welcome everyone to the conference.  He overviews the agenda and asks Co-Chairman Nao Leng Vue to update his outreach conversations with Mr. Za Blong Vang (WI), Dr. Xoua Thao/ Dr. Soua Yang (MN), Dr. Tony Vang/ Wameng Xiong (CA), and Vang Sao Thao (MN) as assigned from our last telephone conference.

 III.            Co-Chairman Nao Neng Vue updates his contact or outreach to the following groups or individuals:
            1.  Mr. Za Blong Vang said, he has no purpose to lead the promotion of GVP’s   vision.  He has never organized a committee to carry out this task as everyone heard.  However, he suggested that we should contact Dr. Tony Vang and Wameng Xiong, CA because they have mobilized the idea of promoting GVP’s vision in which GVP has created a DVD for the Hmong before he passed away.
 
            2.  Mr. Nao Leng Vue also talked to Mrs. Tou Bee Yang (Houa Vang) a public relationship of  United Hmong 18 Council of Wisconsin, and Dr. Chue Doua Vue, in which they hosted a conference for Mr. Neng Chue Vang, son of VP, for the purpose of promoting GVP’s vision.  Per Mrs Tou Bee Yang ( Houa Vang), and Dr. Chue Doua Vue, they confirmed that the primary purpose of the Hmong 18 Council of Wisconsin is to focus on issues that affecting the Hmong community in Wisconsin.  They have no purpose to lead this envision at all.  If our national team wants to include them in this discussion, they will support and participate with us. 

            3.  According to what he talked to Mr. Vang Sao Thao, he stated that they have established an organization called “United Hmong Leadership Council of Minnesota” for the purpose of representing the Hmong population in Minnesota.  He intended to include most of the clan leaders in Minnesota in the process of establishing this organization because of the Hmong 18 Council and Lao Family of Minnesota are having crisis, and no one organizations really represent the Hmong in Minnesota.  However, things are not flowing the way he wants either.  He has no purpose to lead at national level, but he will support the national team leaders’ envision for the Hmong unity.  Mr. Thao further reported that Mr. Xia Cher Thao is the newly elected President of the Thao-Kue of Minnesota, and he should be invited.   Mr. Nao Leng Vue has invited Mr. Xia Cher Thao to join us tonight, but he did not show up.

            4.  Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Shoua Yang,  Mr. Vue has a lengthy conversation with them about an hour long.  They talked about their vision, mission, and intention to establish their organization.  They have registered with the State and they are in the process of promoting their vision throughout the nation, but they said, they cannot do it alone.  They don’t have the purpose to lead, but to promote the vision.  If they don’t start, there is no one do it.  They want the national team leaders to lead, and if we invite them, they will come and explain their intention and their mission to the team. 

            5.   Mr. Wameng Xiong, Sacramento, stated that he was asked by Dr. Tony Vang to take lead on the promotion of the GVP’s vision (GVP’s DVD).  He has conducted a conference in Fresno during the New Year celebration to promote GVP’s vision, but after he thought for a while, he decided that he will not lead this mission.  Since the national team leaders are working on this, he will support our team.  He further advised that our team should include Mr. Vang Chong and Mr. Neng Chue Vang, sons of VP, in this endeavor. 

After Mr. Nao Leng Vue reported and concluded his outreach as noted above, he opens the opportunity to the meeting for discussion, comments, and questions.

1.   Mr. Yong Neng Xiong thanks both co-chairmen for their work that has brought us to this level.  Continuing meetings and set up committee to carry out this mission is needed since we are making progress this far. 

2.   Mr. Ly Paul Chang said, he does not have comments, but he has questions because he is new to the team.  Both Mr. Nao Leng Vue and Attorney Nao Sia Lo explain the purpose of our national team leaders that we started from last year in detail to him, and also offer to email every note from our past meetings to those who are new to the team so everyone on the same page.

3.  Mr. Chong Wa Chang wants to clear his role with the newly elected president of the Chang National Organization that he participates the meeting because our previous meetings requested and approved him, Mr. Nao Leng Vue, Mr. Yong Neng Xiong, and Mr. Youa Pao Yang to be in the team even after their terms are expired.  He has no right to vote on any issue.  The voting right is on the New President, Mr. Ly Paul Chang.

4.  Mr. Tong Ger Yang, the newly elected President of Yang Wameng National, thanks for the opportunity to join the team.  He supports the idea, the vision, and the work of the team.   

5.  Mr. Chue Keng (Kenny) Vue, Vice President of Vue National, states that he support the idea and the work of the team as well. 

            6.  Mr. Richard Lor, supports Mr. Yong Neng Xiong’s ideas.  He adds that he learned a lot from Mr. Vang Sao Thao’s organization.  They first included most clan leaders and they outreached to Mr. Neng Chue Vang, son of VP, and they met at the office of SGU in St. Paul.  Mr. Neng Chue Vang supported their vision, but as they undergo, some of the clan leaders back off due to pressure from their members and the lack of reaching out the community leaders.  Therefore, he does not want the team to make any mistake. 

            7.  Attorney Nao Sia Lo continues to explain the desire to promote the vision of unify the Hmong and create one Hmong voice to response to any issue, concern, or crisis that may arise in the community.  He also wants Za Xiong Moua, note taker, to gather contact information of all new national presidents and send to everyone for future communication.  Mr. Lo adds that we all are elected from our clan members, before we do anything, make sure that we inform and discuss with our people, so we gain their supports instead of pulling us down at the end.

            8.  Mr. Za Xiong Moua suggested that even though we are elected from our clans to represent them at the national level, we still need to include all community leaders such as former civil and military leaders, who the Hmong still look upon them, leaders of the non-profit organizations, and other group leaders such as churches, professionals, scholars, businesses, etc. to join us for this one common purpose.  We also need to create a mission statement in place for this one common idea, rationale, or principle for outreach purposes, so all the team members are on the same page.  We should not be rush or worry about the policy, bylaws, or constitution, etc.. Those can be done when all groups and community leaders are ready. 

            9.  Mr. Ly Paul Chang says, he supports Za Xiong Moua’s ideas

            10.  Mr. Richard Lor, wants to response to Nao Sia Lo and Za Xiong Moua’s comments.  He supports their ideas.  He says, we have learned many lessons from our past and we should be more careful with our future.  Our members and the community leaders should be included and informed anything that we intend to do, so they don’t turn us down at the end.

            11.  Mr. Cher Xiong Xiong states that we need to make decision and vote on each subject matter that we brought to the table before we move on to the next.  He also says that before we include the other individuals and groups to our team meetings, we need to set up proper structure, procedure, and policy in place.

            12.  Mr. Cher Xiong Her suggested that we need to have policy, bylaws, mission or vision in place, so we know exactly what we are doing and we all on the same page.  Za Xiong Moua and Cher Xiong Xiong support his ideas.

            13.  Mr. Nao Lue Kue reports that he was invited to St. Paul to meet with Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Shoua Yang regarding their vision of establishing their new organization.  They have already registered their organization with the state and they are in the process of promoting their organization.  This will be a conflict because we promote the same vision.  He also supports the idea of inclusiveness of the community leaders in the process, but he would not agree with the idea of having a plan, policy, bylaws, or constitution in place.  This will turn people away.  Call for a national meeting and allow all concern individuals to join us and forming a foundation from scratch.

            14.  Mr. Zong ChouVang makes his final words that everyone’s ideas are great.  He would support all of them, but he says, we need to take action on certain issues first.  He agrees that we need to create a mission statement, so we all are on the same page.  All clan leaders need to go back and talk to their members and make sure that we all deliver the same messages to our people.

            15.  Mr. Chong Wang Chang agrees that we need only to create the mission statement and do not rush to the policy or any other things. Do not miss what we have discussed at our initial meeting on 12/3-4/2011 in St. Paul, MN.

            16.  Mr. Nao Leng Vue concludes that he does not think that his Vue clan leaders would have problem as well as the community leaders.  They all will support us if we are together for the one common purpose of unity our Hmong voices and do not affiliate with any one political party.  Mr. Vue says, they have done their mission for outreach now and what else does the team wants them to do next.  He suggests the following plans: (1) Assign a group to write the “MISSON STATEMENT’, (2) Make decision together to invite or not invite Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Shoua Yang to our meeting and allow them to present their vision and mission to us, (3) Any other outreach plan that the team still wants to pursue.  He asked for response.

            17.  Mr. Za Xiong Moua says, he agrees to invite Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Shoua Yang to the meeting, but not to present their vision and mission of their organization.  It is too early.  Mr. Yong Neng Xiong and Mr. Chong Wang Chang support Za Xiong Moua’s comments. 

CONCLUSION:  Mr. Co-Chairman Nao Leng Vue summaries the meeting as follow:

1. We will not invite Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Shoua Yang to our meeting per the voices of the team tonight.
2. Assign Attorney Nao Sia Lo and Fue Vue, Za Xiong Moua, Yong Neng Xiong, and Tong Ger Yang to write “A Mission Statement” and email to the group within 2-3 weeks.
3. We need to set up 3 big outreach meetings in the three major states that most Hmong people live in such as California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
4. All team leaders need to go back to their clans and inform them our vision, but make sure we all deliver the same messages.  We need to wait for the Mission
   Statement, so we have the mission statement to present to our people.
5. Mr. Nao Leng Vue will contact those clans who don’t have a representative join us such as Hmong Lee, he will contact Col. Ly Teng, and Hmong Chue, Hmong Hang, Hmong Kong, and Hmong Cheng as well.  
6. Mr. Nao Leng Vue will shoot email to everyone regarding contact information of all team members, meeting minutes, and mission statement.  If necessary, another conference will be needed prior to any major actions to be taken.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Mr. Ben Cher Xiong Xiong, President of XUN makes an announcement that Mr. Blong Xiong, City Councilman of Fresno, California, is running for the U.S. Congressman seat in California. He plans to visit the state of Minnesota on 02/24/2012. He will have his first Fundraising group on 02/25/2012 with the Hmong Women Professional and also have another fundraising group on 02/26/2012 with his Democratic Party in State of Minnesota.  Mr. Ben Xiong asked for support from the team leaders either by joining them or donating some money to support his campaign.  His campaign required to reach a fundraising up to $250,000 dollars in order to enter the candidacy of running for U.S. Congressman.  Any support and donation will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you all!

Mr. Nao Leng Vue thanks everyone for participation, thanks Mr. Za Xiong Moua and Nao Sia Lo for taking notes for all meetings.  It is late at night, and he wishes all healthy and good night.

Meeting adjourned at about 10.30 P.M. Minnesota time.

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Monday, 1/30/2012 @8:00 PM (MN time): 

All the Hmong National leaders’ telephone conference lead by Mr. Nao Leng Vue and Mr. Zong Chou Vang 

Agenda: 

1.  Introduction,

2.  Report from Nao Leng Vue and Zong Chou Vang from outreach plan

3.  Other related topics

4.  Adjourns

Introduction:  Hmong National Leaders to introduce themselves

1.  Mr. Nao Leng Vue, Vue National President from (CO)

2.  Attorney Kong Chue Fue Vue, Newly elected President of Vue National (MN)

3.  Mr. Za Xiong Moua, President, Moua International Council, Inc. (MN)

4.  Mr. Zong Chou Vang, Vang National President, Sacramento, (CA)

5.  Mr. Yong Neng Xiong, Xiong United National President, (MN). He will be replaced by a newly elected president Mr. Cher Xiong Xiong, MN.

6.  Mr. Cher Xiong Xiong, Newly elected President, Xiong United National (MN)

7.  Mr. Nao Lue Kue, Kue National President, (MN)

8.  Mr. Nou Ker Khang, Khang National (WI)

9.  Mr. Youa Pao Yang, Yang Wameng President (MN) expires term, 2/5/2012, will be replaced by a newly elected president Tong Ger Yang, Marshall, MN.

10.  Mr. Cher Xiong Her, President Her National (MN)

11.  Mr. Paul Pha, Rep. of Pha national and Vice President of Lo-Pha Society (MN)

12.  Mr. Chong Wang Chang, President of Chang National (CA).  He will be replaced by a newly elected president Ly Paul Chang, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

13.  Attorney Nao Sia Lo, President Lo-Pha National (MN)

Report on the outreach plan: 

Mr. Nao Leng Vue briefly touches base on the outreach plan and introduces Mr. Zong Chou Vang to make the report.

Mr. Zong Chou Vang reports that he has participated in a meeting with other Hmong leaders who want to pormote GVP's vision in Fresno, CA. 12/24/2011, which was lead by Mr. Wameng Xiong from Sacramento, California. 

Mr. Cher Xiong Her from Minneosta also participated with Mr. Vang in the Hmong Fesno’s meeting as stated above.  Mr. Vang was allowed to speak 15 minutes to summarize our meeting in MN on 12/3-4/2011 to the meeting.  There is no feedback regarding his report.  He also stayed there several days at the New Year in Fresno and he also met with several leaders and talked to them about our vision.  They all said, they like the idea and will support our vision. 

Mr. Vang further states that there are several groups want to do the same as we have planned or intended to promote the same vision.  Example:  Wameng Xiong, Dr. Tony Vang, Mr. Neng Chue Vang, Dr. Soua Thao or/and Dr. Soua Yang, and other organizational leaders, etc..

Mr. Zong Chou Vang added that he has contacted Neng Chue Vang, son of GVP about his plan.  Mr. Neng Chue Vang said, he just wanted to promote GVP's vision, but he cannot do it alone.  He will leave it up to the community.  

Mr. Zong Chou Vang also talked to Mr. Za Blong Vang in WI who has been associated with Mr. Neng Chue Vang, and he replied that they already have a committee to carry out the mission to promote GVP's vision. 

Mr. Vang also talked to Mr. Wameng Xiong, and Wameng said, he wants the national team to lead this effort.  He only represents CA chapter.  He suggested that we need to create chapters throughout the nation to come together for this one common purpose.

Mr. Vang has no connection with Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Soua Yang yet, because he has no contact information. If anyone has any contact information about them should lead this to contact them for the collaboration effort. 

Mr. Cher Xiong Her states that Dr. Xoua Thao and Dr. Soua Yang have organized their group and they have been mobilized their mission and set up their rep. all over the states.  About Mr. Vang Sao Thao, they also organized a Hmong National leader organization intends to replace Hmong 18 council in Minnesota and would also be a conflict for the promotion of this common vision. 

Mr. Nao Leng Vue updated from his part.  He has contacted some former leaders and organization leaders.  The elders said, they want to leave this envision with the young leaders because they lack of education and knowledge.  They don't want to lead no more.  About the 18 clan Organizations, they have their own policies and procedures within their states and difficult to collaborate the work together.  Their intentions are to focus on each individual state's mission.

Mr. Vue suggested that we all should look at the whole picture and be inclusive in order to promote this one common vision for the next generation. 

Other related topics:

-We need to revisit our organizations' 501(c)(3) policies and procedures. 

-Organization’s Article and Bylaws?

-What limitation do we have?  

-The mission of each organization set forth etc.. to avoid conflict and confusion.

Conclusion:

The two co-chair persons should continue to talk with Mr. Za Blong Vang; Dr. Tony Vang & Wameng Xiong; Dr. Xoua Thao & Dr. Shoua Yang, and other groups regarding collaboration on this one common purpose for the community.

After contacting those individual groups, the co-chairmen will arrange another conference to include those individual groups in the next conference as well.

Meeting adjourned at about 10:00 P.M. MN time.

Note taken By Za Xiong Moua

==========================================================================================================

12/3-4, 2011:
The Hmong National Clan Leaders or National Presidents from the 18 Clans will have a national meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota on Saturday 12/3-4/2011 at Hmong Village from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm which will be chaired by Mr. Nao Leng Vue, President of Vue National, from Denver, Colorado.  Most leaders or presidents of all clans from all over the states will participate in this initial meeting at national level.

The purpose of this meeting is to get to know each other at national level and to develop friendship and social tie with all 18 clans in the Hmong community. They will also discuss and brainstorm ideas regarding issues affecting the Hmong community right now. More detail from the meeting will be posted here after the meeting is over.   

Stay tune,

===============================================================================================
REPORT AFTER THE MEETING, 12/3-4/2-011 at Hmong Village in St. Paul, Minnesota

As a result, the meeting went well.  All leaders from most clans at national level came together and identified issues affecting the Hmong community and brainstormed ideas on how Hmong leaders can unify and make one voice. 

 Mr. Nao Leng Vue and Mr. Zong Chou Vang were selected as Co-Chairmen to lead the team for outreach to the community leaders for the inclusiveness at the next possible meeting.

All participants agreed that all clan leaders (Presidents) at national level should united and work collaboratively to move our community leaders to the next level for the unification of our people.  Pictures from the meeting below.

 This is the first day meeting at Hmong Village (12/3/2011)

This is the first day meeting (12/3/2011) at Hmong Village

First day meeting (12/3/2011)

Nov yog cov coj sawv daws los koom noj hmo ntawm President Za Xiong Moua tsev 12/3/2011

This is second day meeting (12/4/2011). From left to right back roll:  Mr. Nao Lue Kue, Kue National Rep.,  Mr. Youa Pao Yang, President of Yang Wameng, Mr. Paul Pha, Vice President, Lo-Pha Society National, Mr. Nao Leng Vue, President of Vue National, Lawyer Nao Sia Lo, President of Lo-Pha Society National, Mr. Yong Neng Xiong, President of Xiong United National;

Front roll: Mr. Blia Nhoua Lor, PR of Lo-Pha Society National, Mr. Zong Chou Vang, President of Vang Council National, Mr. Richard Lor, Vice President of Lo_Pha Society Nantional, Mr. Chong Wang Chang, President of Chang Organization National, Mr. Za Xiong Moua, President of Moua united International Council, Inc.  There were some absent from the first day. 

Picture above is the second day meeting (12/4/2011)

The team take a tour at the Hmong Village market area right after the meeting on the second day

SPECIAL APPRECIATION:

We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to Lawyer Nao Sia Lo, President of Lo-Pha Society National and Mr. Yong Neng Xiong, President of Xiong United National, for sponsoring this two day meeting for the Hmong 18 clan national presidents on the weekend of 12/3-4/2011 at Hmong Village which included morning coffee, breakfast, and lunches for both days. 

Special thanks go to Mr. Cher Chai Vang and the Hmong Village Co-owners for providing the meeting facility space for us on those two days free of charge.  We truly appreciate your support and generosity.

Thank you Co-Chairmen Nao Leng Vue and Zong Chou Vang for making this initial meeting possible.

Thank you all colleagues, leaders, and Clan National Presidents for your leaderships and commitments traveling from short and long distances to this very first step meeting for the course of Hmong unity.

By showing up at this meeting means that you are all true leaders.  God Bless Us All!

Za Xiong Moua, President,

Moua United International Council, Inc.

(651) 238-5890